Episode 21 – As Simple as Wheels, Axles, and Levers

First, you will need to download the As Simple as Wheels, Axles, and Levers lab manual and the STEM Spotlight of Salim Nasser.

A simple machine is a machine that makes work much easier for us! They have a few moving parts but do a lot of work on their own. Combining simple machines creates complex machines, such as a car or appliance. A car has wheels and one example of a simple machine is a wheel and axle. Think of all the work that simple machine does that allows us to drive or even ride a bike, skateboard, and many more!

This activity will showcase the work that wheels, axles, and levers do in more detail and how they can be utilized to create more complex machinery.

Interestingly, the Smithsonian states that wheels are strictly a human invention because there are no wheels that exist in nature! Some insects and animals come close to having ‘wheels’ in their anatomy, but no organism actually has a wheel. These have been used historically to provide transportation, of course, but first as Potter’s Wheels, which allowed people to create pottery. Where do you see wheels and axles today?

We have highlighted an amazing scientist in the field of engineering with regards to force and motion here:

Saskatchewan Curriculum Connections: FM5.2: Investigate characteristics of simple machines, including levers, wheels and axles, pulleys, inclined planes, screws, and wedges, for moving and lifting loads. (SI, TPS) (b, e, g, m)